BEHAVIOR OF CHLORINE DURING COAL PYROLYSIS

The behavior of chlorine in Illinois coals during pyrolysis was evalua ted by combined thermo-gravimetry-Fourier transform infrared spectrosc opy-ion chromatography (TG-FTIR-IC) techniques. It was found that more than 90% of chlorine in Illinois coals (IBC-103, 105, 106, and 109) w as liberated as HCl gas during pyrolysis from 300 to 600 degrees C, wi th the rate reaching a maximum at 440 degrees C. Similarity of the HCl and NH3 release profiles during pyrolysis of IBC-109 supports the hyp othesis that the chlorine in coal may be associated with nitrogen and the chlorine is probably bonded to the basic nitrogen sites on the inn er walls of coal micropores.